Fluid Conveying Conduit

ABSTRACT

A fluid-containing conduit ( 10,30,40,50 ) including at least one luminescent marker ( 14 ) whereby the fluid-containing conduit is visible in a low light condition. The marker may be in the form of one or more elongate ribs ( 16 ) containing luminescent material along interior wall surface ( 18 ), or may be elongate luminescent bands ( 52,54 ) adjacent the exterior wall ( 20 ) of the conduit, or may be indicia containing luminescent material such as ink ( 42 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC §371 fromPCT/GB2006/002059 filed Jun. 5, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fluid conveying conduit and, in particular,a medical tube for administering fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a low light condition it is often almost impossible to see aconventional tube or other fluid conveying conduit. As a result a usercan find it difficult to locate the conduit if, for example, he wishesto move the conduit or engage and/or disengage a component from theconduit.

In addition, because conventional conduits are difficult to see in lowlight conditions it can be difficult for a person to avoid such aconduit if, e.g. it lies across his path, in a low light condition.

This is particularly so for medical tubes which may be used to provide aperson with a continuous supply of oxygen, or to administer drugs to aperson, while he is resident in a medical facility or at home.

In order for the person to move around, the length of medical tubingextending between the person and the dispensing station is often long,especially when a person needs to move from one room to another. As aresult, lengths of medical tubing typically lie along the floor inseveral areas of the medical facility or home.

As mentioned, such medical tubing is almost impossible to see in lowlight conditions and so represents a major trip hazard since it isdifficult for patients and carers to avoid.

As a result many patients and carers suffer falls, some fatal, as aresult of tripping over a length of medical tube.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved fluid conveying conduit whichhelps to overcome the aforementioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluidconveying conduit comprising a conduit body including at least oneluminescent marker, whereby the fluid conveying conduit is visible in alow light condition.

Rendering the fluid conveying conduit visible in a low light conditionmakes it easier for users and their carers to avoid the conduit, therebyreducing the likelihood of a trip occurring.

In one embodiment of the invention the conduit body defines a medicaltube for administering fluids.

Preferably the or each luminescent marker includes an elongate,luminescent rib extending along the length of the conduit body, the oreach elongate rib including a luminescent pigment. The provision of atleast one elongate, luminescent rib means that the entire length ofconduit is visible in a low light condition. An elongate rib is alsoreadily manufacturable, e.g. by extrusion.

Optionally at least one elongate rib lies adjacent to an inner surfaceof the conduit body. Such a rib helps to reduce the likelihood of thetube kinking which might otherwise cut off the supply of fluid beingadministered to a user.

Alternatively at least one elongate rib lies adjacent to an outersurface of the conduit body. Such a feature provides a user or carerwith a tactile identifier which could, for example allow him to readilyidentify the fluid being administered by a given medical tube.

Preferably the or each luminescent marker includes an elongate,luminescent band lying within the conduit body and extending along thelength thereof, the or each elongate band including a luminescentpigment. Such an arrangement isolates the or each elongate band from theinner surface of the conduit body, thereby avoiding the possibility ofthe luminescent pigment adversely reacting with the fluid beingconveyed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least one portion of oneor more of the elongate bands is coterminous with an outer surface ofthe conduit body. This arrangement is readily manufacturable whileensuring a desired amount of one or more elongate bands is visible.

The luminescent marker may also include an ink lying on a surface of theconduit body, the ink including a luminescent pigment. Such a featureallows the luminescent marker to be readily applied to a surface of theconduit body, by a method such as printing, in a range of differingconfigurations and graphical arrangements. In this way the luminescentmarker may provide additional information, e.g. relating to the contentsof the conduit, as well as rendering the conduit visible in a low lightcondition.

The conduit body may also include one or more dyes or secondary pigmentsso as to emit or reflect incident light in a predetermined range ofwavelengths. In this way the conduit body is observed to have aparticular colour which may be used to identify the fluid beingadministered by the conduit.

In a preferred embodiment the conduit body may include a translucentportion. This allows a user or carer to observe the contents of theconduit, while the conduit body also provides the aforementionedcolour-based identification.

Alternatively the conduit body includes a transparent portion so that auser or carer is able to observe the contents of the conduit.

In another preferred embodiment, the conduit body includes a luminescentpigment. This allows the whole conduit body to define a luminescentmarker, thereby providing the desired visibility in a low lightcondition.

In a further preferred embodiment, the luminescent pigment may be orinclude a phosphorescent pigment. Such pigments glow for a period afterexposure to light.

Optionally the luminescent pigment includes one or more dyes orsecondary pigments so as to emit light in a predetermined range ofwavelengths. In this way the or each luminescent marker is observed tohave a particular colour in a low light condition. The colour could thenbe used to identify the fluid being, e.g. administered by the conduit.Such identification is particularly useful in situations where severaldifferent conduits are used to administer different drugs to the sameperson. The ability of, e.g. a carer, to readily identify, in a lowlight condition, the fluid being administered by a particular conduitwould help to ensure that each drug is injected into the correctconduit. Preferably the conduit body includes an antimicrobial additive.This can help to reduce the transmission of organisms such as MRSA(methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) by the conduit, therebyreducing the risk of a conduit user developing an infection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of theinvention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a section of medical tube according to a first embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section of medical tube according to a second embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a section of medical tube according to a third embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through a section of medical tubeaccording to the first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a section of medical tube according to a fourth embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. The embodimentsillustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosenand described to best explain the principle of the invention and itsapplication and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art tobest utilize the invention.

A fluid conveying conduit according to a first embodiment of theinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10, as shownin FIG. 1.

The fluid conveying conduit 10 comprises a conduit body 12 which definesa medical tube for administering fluids. The conduit body 12 includesthree luminescent markers 14. Each luminescent marker 14 includes anelongate, luminescent rib 16 which extends along the length of theconduit body 12. Each elongate rib 16 includes a luminescent pigment(not shown). In a preferred embodiment the luminescent pigment is aphosphorescent pigment. A particularly preferred phosphorescent pigmentis alkaline earth metal silicate aluminate.

In the embodiment shown, all three elongate ribs 16 lie adjacent to aninner surface 18 of the conduit body 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Theelongate ribs 16 are equally spaced from one another around the innersurface 18 of the conduit. In other embodiments, of the invention one ormore elongate ribs 16 may lie adjacent to an outer surface 20 of theconduit body 12. In addition, other embodiments of the invention mayinclude different numbers and arrangements of elongate ribs 16.Furthermore, different shapes of cross- sectional profile are alsopossible.

In a low light condition, i.e. typically less than 1 lumen, eachelongate rib 16 emits light so as to render the conduit visible to auser or carer. Each elongate rib 16 is able to emit visible light formany hours without the need for an external power source.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the entire conduit body 12 istransparent which means a user or carer is able to see the contents ofthe conduit 10. One type of polymer from which it is convenient to makethe conduit body 12 is PVC.

In other embodiments, not shown, the conduit body 12 may include one ormore dyes or secondary pigments so as to emit or reflect incident lightin a predetermined range of wavelengths. In this way it is possible toprovide a translucent conduit body 12 which has a predetermined tint, soas to provide a visible indication of what fluid is being administeredby the tube 10. A desirable level of translucency, or tinting, is 5% asthis provides a suitable visible indication while still allowing thecontents of the conduit 10 to be seen.

The luminescent pigment in one or more elongate ribs 16 may also includeone or more dyes or secondary pigments. In such embodiments, eachelongate rib 16, in use, emits light of a particular colour. Thisprovides a visible indication of what fluid is being administered by theconduit 10 in a low light condition.

A fluid conveying conduit according to a second embodiment of theinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral 30. Thesecond fluid conveying conduit 30 shares many features with the firstfluid conveying conduit 10. These common features are designated by thesame reference numerals.

The second fluid conveying conduit 30 includes an opaque conduit body 12which defines a medical tube, and has three elongate ribs 16 integrallymoulded therewith. Each elongate rib 16 extends along the length of theconduit body 12.

The conduit body 12 and each elongate rib 16 includes a luminescentpigment (not shown). Consequently, in a low light condition, the wholeconduit 30 emits light so as to render it visible.

A fluid conveying conduit according to a third embodiment of theinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral 40. The thirdfluid conveying conduit 40 shares many features with the first andsecond fluid conveying conduits 10, 30. These common features aredesignated by the same reference numerals.

The third medical tube 40 includes a conduit body 12 which defines amedical tube, and may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

An ink 42 which includes a luminescent pigment (not shown) lies on theouter surface 20 of the conduit body 12. The ink 42 is arranged as agraphic symbol which assists a user or carer in identifying the fluidbeing carried by the conduit 40. In the example shown, the graphic “O₂”is printed on the outer surface 20. Other embodiments may includedifferent graphics and/or arrangements of ink 42.

In a low light condition, the ink 42 glows, thereby allowing a user orcarer to see the conduit 40 as well as readily identify the contents,i.e. oxygen.

A fluid conveying conduit according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral 50. Thefourth fluid conveying conduit 50 shares many features with the first,second and third fluid conveying conduits 10, 30, 40. These commonfeatures are designated by the same reference numerals.

The fourth medical tube 50 includes a conduit body 12 which defines amedical tube, and is transparent. In other embodiments, the conduit body12 may be translucent or opaque.

The conduit body 12 includes two luminescent markers 14, each of whichincludes an elongate, luminescent band 52, 54 that lies within theconduit body 12 and extends along the length thereof, as shown in FIG.5. Each elongate band 52, 54 includes a luminescent pigment (not shown).The cross-sectional shape of each elongate band 52, 54 may differ fromthat shown in FIG. 5. For example, in other embodiments the or eachelongate band 52, 54 could have a circular, oval, elliptical, oblong orsquare cross-sectional shape.

A first elongate band 52 lies completely within the conduit body 12,whereas one portion of a second elongate band 54 is coterminous with theouter surface 20 of the conduit body 12.

In a low light condition, each of the elongate bands 52, 54 emits lightalong substantially the entire length of the conduit body 12, therebyrendering the whole length of conduit 50 visible.

A fluid conveying conduit according to a fifth embodiment of theinvention (not shown) has a conduit body 12 which defines a medicaltube, and includes an antimicrobial additive. In this way the fourthconduit is also able to inhibit the spread of infection within a medicalfacility or home.

Whilst the examples described above relate to medical tubing, it isenvisaged that the invention could be applied to other fluid conveyingconduits such as hoses and pipes.

We claim:
 1. A method of producing a medical tube for administering afluid, comprising molding a medical tube for administering a fluid, saidmedical tube integrally including at least one elongate rib projectingfrom an inner surface or an outer surface and continuously extendingalong the entire length of said medical tube, said elongate ribcontaining a luminescent pigment sufficient in amount to render theentire length of said medical tube visible in a low light condition. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein molding said medical tubefurther comprises molding said medical tube inclusive of one or moredyes or secondary pigments which emit or reflect incident light in apredetermined range of wavelengths.
 3. The method according to claim 2,wherein molding said medical tube further comprises molding said medicaltube inclusive of a translucent portion.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein molding said medical tube further comprises moldingsaid medical tube inclusive of a transparent portion.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said luminescent pigment comprises aphosphorescent pigment.
 6. The method according to claim 1, whereinmolding said medical tube comprises molding said medical tube inclusiveof an antimicrobial additive.
 7. A method of producing a medical tubefor administering a fluid, comprising molding a medical tube foradministering a fluid, said medical tube integrally including at leastone elongate band lying inside of and continuously extending along theentire length of said medical tube, said at least one elongate bandincluding a luminescent pigment sufficient in amount to render theentire length of said conduit body visible in low light.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein molding said medical tube further comprises moldingsaid at least one elongate band inclusive of a portion coterminous withan outer surface of said conduit body.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereinmolding said medical tube further comprises molding said medical tubeinclusive of one or more dyes or secondary pigments which emit orreflect incident light in a predetermined range of wavelengths.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein molding said medical tube further comprisesmoulding said medical tube inclusive of a translucent portion.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, wherein molding said medical tube further comprisesmolding said medical tube inclusive of a transparent portion.
 12. Themethod of claim 7, wherein said luminescent pigment comprises aphosphorescent pigment.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein molding saidmedical tube further comprises molding said medical tube inclusive of anantimicrobial additive.
 14. The method of claim 7, further comprisingmolding said medical tube integrally including a luminescent markerdefining one or more graphic symbols indicative of a fluid carriedwithin said medical tube.
 15. A method of producing a medical tube foradministering a fluid, comprising molding said medical tube integrallyincluding a luminescent marker defining one or more graphic symbolsindicative of a fluid carried within said medical tube.
 16. A method ofa medical tube for administering a fluid, comprising: obtaining amedical tube having a luminescent marker defining one or more graphicsymbols indicative of a fluid carried within said medical tube;obtaining a fluid defined by said luminescent marker; and flowing saidfluid defined by said luminescent marker through said medical tube.